Pigeons & Birds
Although birds are responsible for some damage to your crops by far the worst culprit is the wood pigeon. They do maximun damage to your brassica plants in Spring & Winter when food is scarce. They can reduce a cabbage to a few stalks overnight. It’s not just the cabbage family (brassicas) which they attack, they enjoy beans, peas, turnips & even Swedes, asset as fruit & berries when in season. Pigeons are said to be clever birds, scarecrow & rattling bottles on canes don’t seem to disturb them.
The only answer is to put netting over your crops, you need to make sure the netting is supported otherwise birds will press down on the netting to gain access, & it goes down to ground level or they will find their way under your netting. Pigeons can destroy your hole crop in a day. Always remember to net your crops, don’t think or I will do it tommorow, there is nothing more demoralizing than going to your plot & half of your crops have been eaten. The Robin for example helps us on the allotment when you are winter digging it will feast on the pests on the top of your soil.
Remember we have brassica collars outside are main hut building for members to take, they will help with young seedlings from the weather & pigeons, until the plants have developed.
Blog by Mark Burton (Allotment Secretary)
